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First time BMW scooter rider

Wolfpack

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Mar 4, 2025
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I just purchased a 2023 C400GT, with 2,500 miles. As a last checkoff in my bucket list (78 YO), I decided to do it. Of course, family and friends are critical of my choice, being so old, yada, yada.....
I did it for me, not for them. I chose the scooter because I have some minor articulation issues with my left foot, thus the CVT transmission.
Many years ago I had an accident on a motorcycle, as I was leaning on a curve, hitting a patch of gravel and dumping the bike. My left knee joint broke through my skin, leaving me in bad shape for some time. I haven't ridden since, except for ebikes.
I want to ride again, if I pass the motorcycle license test (and I will!).
Any simi!ar experience(s) to support a crazy old man's temptation?
 
Well I'm 75 but have been riding for the last 58 years, so no problem there. It's what I do. I don't think it's crazy at all. Scooters are easy to ride just take it easy getting back into it.

I want to sell my Gold Wing because I know I couldn't pick it up by myself anymore on a solo tour. Coming will be a C400GT, easy on the arthritis too. Think of it this way, you can die in your rocking chair or code out going over the Big Horn Mountains on the way home from one last trip to Sturgis. I know my choice. I want to LIVE as much as possible, the days are numbered, for everyone.
 
I just purchased a 2023 C400GT, with 2,500 miles. As a last checkoff in my bucket list (78 YO), I decided to do it. Of course, family and friends are critical of my choice, being so old, yada, yada.....
I did it for me, not for them. I chose the scooter because I have some minor articulation issues with my left foot, thus the CVT transmission.
Many years ago I had an accident on a motorcycle, as I was leaning on a curve, hitting a patch of gravel and dumping the bike. My left knee joint broke through my skin, leaving me in bad shape for some time. I haven't ridden since, except for ebikes.
I want to ride again, if I pass the motorcycle license test (and I will!).
Any simi!ar experience(s) to support a crazy old man's temptation?
congratulations! I've had my C400 for 4 years and enjoy it daily. I get 65 MPG and have plenty of HP for the freeway. I'm 72 so I'm right behind you. Enjoy!
 
You guys are just youngsters.:LOL: I will be 85 April 7. Just traded my 2015 R1200R LC for a 2022 C 400GT. Picking it up today. It is a little ironic as I started out on a scooter with a centrifugal clutch (Cushman) when I was 11 years old on a farm in Eastern Colorado. After all the Hondas, Harleys, Triumphs, and BMWs I am back on a scooter with automatic drive once again. I guess it is the cycle of life. All in all never been without a Motorcycle for 74 years. Still play Handball and ride a E-Bike several times a week. Thank you for letting me join this group. It is not easy regressing from the large bikes as you know but did not want to give it up. So glad this group is here.
 
Hey Jack, make it to the Beat the Heat Scooter Rally in Maggie Valley, NC. and you can meet some real geezers. Most of them are on Vespas. I did it a couple of years on a Vespa but kept getting stranded. No more.
 
Thanks but as they say "it is a fur piece" for me to go". I do have a son in NC but we are not on speaking terms for a while. Anything out West I would certainly attend. Thanks for the heads up!
 
@Buzzard II

I have never done Sturgis and have no desire to. I do go to South Dakota every year and ride Custer State Park Wild Life Circle, The Needles Highway, Iron Mountain, the Badlands and whatever else I can find around there. It's one of my three most favorite places to ride. My other favorites are the Ozarks in Arkensaw and Blue Ridge Parkway out of Cherokee PA. If I go out on the scooter I hope it will be on one of those rides.
 
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Camille and I have done Sturgis twenty plus times. We rode Harleys for 50+ years. Switched to BMW in 2008. It certainly was entertaining but would not enjoy it at our age anymore. I would recommend the area for riding though any other time.
 
I've been to Bike week in Daytona12 times. I do a ride across the state which isn't too bad but I will ride to the Iron Horse Saloon and buy a few t shirst take a ride to the Light house and along the coast and thats about it.

What I like about it though is that it is usually nice weather there so it is my first ride of the year. Also if the weather permits (and it usually does) we trailor our bikesf to Georga on the way home. I have a really nice route in my GPS around Pine Mountain and the FDR trail we hit on the way home. That is the kind of riding I like to do. Really low traffic, beautiful scenery and lots of gentile slopes and curves.

Maybe I would have enjoyed Sturgus in my younger day. I like the videos on You Tube. But the stop & start riding just doesn't appeal to me anymore. Never really did.
 
I just purchased a 2023 C400GT, with 2,500 miles. As a last checkoff in my bucket list (78 YO), I decided to do it. Of course, family and friends are critical of my choice, being so old, yada, yada.....
I did it for me, not for them. I chose the scooter because I have some minor articulation issues with my left foot, thus the CVT transmission.
Many years ago I had an accident on a motorcycle, as I was leaning on a curve, hitting a patch of gravel and dumping the bike. My left knee joint broke through my skin, leaving me in bad shape for some time. I haven't ridden since, except for ebikes.
I want to ride again, if I pass the motorcycle license test (and I will!).
Any simi!ar experience(s) to support a crazy old man's temptation?
I'm just a youngster (76) but I've been riding a C400GT for 3 years and 16,000 miles. Like you I had to go to the CVT because I broke my leg and couldn't shift the BMW I had at the time. I started riding in 1964 and I suppose at the time I had a lot to lose if there was an accident, but I haven't had any and I've had 60 years of fun! C400GT is very easy to handle & a pretty safe bike & well worth the small risk of missing out on some time in a nursing home if you have an accident:)
Think young & keep riding.
Mike
 
I just purchased a 2023 C400GT, with 2,500 miles. As a last checkoff in my bucket list (78 YO), I decided to do it. Of course, family and friends are critical of my choice, being so old, yada, yada.....
I did it for me, not for them. I chose the scooter because I have some minor articulation issues with my left foot, thus the CVT transmission.
Many years ago I had an accident on a motorcycle, as I was leaning on a curve, hitting a patch of gravel and dumping the bike. My left knee joint broke through my skin, leaving me in bad shape for some time. I haven't ridden since, except for ebikes.
I want to ride again, if I pass the motorcycle license test (and I will!).
Any simi!ar experience(s) to support a crazy old man's temptation?
I think you made the right choice. I'm 75 years old and as you can see from my medallion I've put a few miles on BMW scooters. I started with a C650GT and I'm now on my second C400X. I've found that with my 75 year old body and the type of riding I like to do, the C400 is the perfect bike for me and I hope for you too. Enjoy!
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